3rd time I’ve been here. The 1hr 40min drive is very well worth it from where I live. The trail is in really good condition as is the parking lot & restrooms. 2.2 mile hike labeled as easy which is accurate. Today’s water was turquoise, and it was beautiful.

My group planned to arrive early to Blue Pool, but a fatality on Hwy 22 caused us to take a 2.5hr detour. We arrived way later than we wanted to. Parking was already out on the highway at 1:15pm. This hike is about 2 miles in and 2 miles out. It’s a fairly easy hike that is shaded most of the way. The scramble to get down to the Blue Pool is a bit trickier, but doable. Just take your time. We had a group of 10 and only 5 of us were brave enough to go into the 37 degree water. If you decide to go in or walk around barefoot, I highly recommend water shoes. The rocks were extremely painful on the souls of our feet. Lots of hornets by the water, so be careful. We only saw 2 people jump from the cliff. This is extremely dangerous as several people have died over the years. Since this was a warm August Saturday, it was crowded with hikers, mountain bikers, dogs and children. I definitely recommend going early, on a weekday or in the off-season. It was still a great hike with breathtaking views. The shades of blue are indescribable. There are restrooms at the trailhead of Blue Pool. Also, if this was too short of a hike for you, definitely piggyback Koosah Falls or Sahalie Falls with this one. We would have, but with our unexpected detour, we ran out of time and needed to make the long trek home. Happy Hiking!

This is an amazing site! Expect it to be really crowded but the pool is worth seeing! Also don’t expect to swim much, there’s a reason why all the pictures don’t have people in them! The water is almost ice. Pretty easy hike in! Follow all our adventures on Instagram @themicrotourists!

Great easy and comfortable hike on a very well maintained trail. Great trail for company who is not acclimated but wants a big payoff for the effort. The water was very cold but not unbearable and the hike down was not as bad as some post made it seem. Go around to the opposite side and the trail is very user friendly. The anticipation of the water is worse than the water itself. Very enjoyable, casual and non-taxing.

5 stars for the first part of the hike! Hiking the steep steps up to the top is so fun and gives you such awesome views! The path down is neat too (takes you past Monkey Face), but once you get down to the river it’s a little less exciting. Still a really nice trail and we enjoyed it, but all the “action” is in the first half of the hike!

Unique! Bring a very bright light, a tissue or two and wear a warm coat. Cave ventures back about a mile and a sign notifies you when to stop. Be aware not to wear any other clothes that you've worn in other caves. Definitely worth seeing!

Beautiful and unique scenery. Did this hike with a group of six plus a little dog. This was back in the winter and we kept shedding and putting back on layers. Excellent work out while you enjoy the views and company.

Beautiful hike. The beginning was fairly easy. It gets harder as you get in the lava beds. The scramble down to the pool (if you choose to do it) is steep, so be careful! The water is freezing cold, but feels nice on feet after the hike there. Also, be aware of yellow jacket nests. We found a few along the way. We discovered one as we stepped to the side to let others pass by. We only noticed it as several in our group were stung.

I came to the lava river cave 7/7/18 for my cousin's birthday and bachelorette get away and it was fun but it can get busy and they only let so much people go in because it's a cave.

the reason I rate this hike 3/5 because I like to see my surroundings, just because I like to look at things as I hike. this was also my first cave hike and for me, I would say that it was a good first time experience but I wouldn't come to bend again just for this hike because I'm not a cave hiker. but I would rather go to an outdoor hike out in bend instead :)

also before coming to this hike, bring your own flashlight so you wouldn't have to buy or rent a mediocre flashlight that cost $10. bring a sweater or jacket, it is cold inside the cave. and be prepared, you have to go through an orientation before going inside the cave, and there might be a line going inside the cave.

We got on the trail at 6 am on a hundred degree day and we finished about 9:30. you can do it much faster but we relaxed a while at the top. I have a great fear of heights so I also took longer than most people on the trail today. But, I faced my fear and went. I am so glad I did. However, if I were to do it again I would go clockwise along the river and up to the top and come back the same way. not nearly as steep and not the long dropoffs along the trail as going the counter clockwise part first.

Beautiful hike however it is more like 5 miles if you go to the waters edge. Water is ridiculously clear and beautiful. The water is cold but the hike is amazing. The hike from the view point is about 4 miles.

Beautiful hike through the trees and along the river. Lots of roots and rocky steps to maneuver at times. Saw lots of people on the trail, as well as mountain bikers trying to work their way through the crowd. *Saw a couple trying to push a stroller on the trail. Trail is best for walking and carrying baby in a pack. Pool was beautiful and water was ice cold.

A lovely trail that follows the falls and river. A nice, cool breeze along the way. The falls are just beautiful! No parking fee here. After this hike drive down a few more miles to Blue Pool for a more vigorous hike.

Bring bright flashlights for every person who visits. Use the bathroom before you go. Mind the limited hours and days because you can only visit when it's staffed and open. Dress for warmth in 42 degrees fahrenheit even in the summer - it's ALWAYS that temperature! I have been to the Lava River Cave several times over the years. This review is for my favorite time in July 2007 when I went with my 3 best friends from high school. It was a blast! My friend Jim and I climbed to the upper tube in one area - a considerable challenge. The length is inaccurate on AllTrails. It is just over a mile to the end of the cave, so 2 miles out and back. Of course you don't have to go all the way to the end. There are points where the tube is very cramped (you have to bend over or even crawl) while other places it is huge, with the ceiling towering overhead. The cave is a rather crowded touristy area with a manned booth and various rules, but that can actually help it feel "safer" or less "creepy." There are other less known and less crowded caves around, but this is a good one to take visitors who are new to the area.